Before they were finished

I thought it was time to look back on some of my items – I’m really pleased with the way some of these photos turned out, thanks to Mr Nikon D80 and the Speedlight Flash which gives a pretty light. It’s also to distract me because tomorrow, the Show opens and those who have entered Canberra Show for 2011 can see what the Judge thought.

I am looking forward to hearing what the judge thought of my first attempt at Freeforming:

This is a look at the structural bits of my bag – there’s a satin lining over a layer of quilt batting then the shadecloth as recommended by Prudence Mapstone to make the shell of a bag, which I have to say: worked a treat. I didn’t make motifs and join them, rather started with the base, and then worked my way up, using scraps. The buttons came from my Grandmothers button box.

For the show, I turned the skein of 435gms of Naturally Cream Merino into basically, an Afghan Egg:

And forgive me here but: That first egg was named Thought. Tathagata Buddha, the Father Buddha says: “with our thoughts, we make the world.” Elemental forces acted upon the egg – well.. at least me and a 5.5mm Crochet hook did… and out sprang:

My second Round Ripple using naturally coloured locally bred Merino. This is the Afghan going in a chocolate round, about to change to the cream. Something I learnt with this Afghan was the definitive need to have long tails to weave in. In hindsight, my mistake was making it a 7 point, it was supposed to be a 6 point starter and the edge has gone ruffley.

Another item which is mindboggling for it’s content is the 2 Ply Christening Gown. It’s not quite as fine as the Long Running Laceweight! But I did start it two years ago, when I was living in the House of Many Labradors.

This is 2.7 kilometres of 2 ply Merino. The skirt is 48 centimetres long, and then there’s the Lining: